AN: Written for the Hogwarts May Event, for the prompt: fantasy.
Words: 117
The Fantasy
He tipped the vial back, allowing the trickle to hit the back of his throat. He closed his eyes as the Elixir Somniorum took effect. Turning to the space beside him, he opened them once more.
A teenage boy sat beside the man, grinning.
"Fred," he said, mirroring his brother's smile. George's hair had begun to grey around his temples as lines weaved creases around his eyes. George just sat, stared and smiled.
Fred's image began to fade. George's face dropped.
"Fred. Fred! Please! Stay! Fred. Fred…" he begged.
But Fred was gone.
As wracking sobs took over the man's frame, he squeezed his eyes tight shut against the sicking truth: it was nothing more than fantasy.